While the NHL season is still in limbo my Panthers blog is on the move. Today we’re moving to a new address.
Click here http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/florida-panthers/panthers-blog/ to bookmark the new homepage for all the latest Panther’s news. This page won’t disappear, but this will just be the last post you’ll find.

The Panthers may not be dishing out assists during the owner’s-forced lockout but they doled out smiles and autographs to sick youngsters at the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Wednesday afternoon.
Sporting their NHLPA sweatshirts with their twitter hashmark #theplayers, Mike Weaver, Stephen Weiss, Peter Mueller and free agent Marco Sturm expressed optimism and frustration about the ongoing CBA impasse.
“You practice every day hoping the CBA’s going to get done and it hasn’t,’’ said Weaver, the Panthers union representative. “We have free time so we came together on our own to do a hospital visit to give back to the public.’’
There were some touching moments but none cooler than meeting 18-year-old Carissa Sandrin of Lauderhill, whose clearly as tough as any hockey player. Suffering from incurable cystic fibrosis since birth, Sandrin plays softball and flag football and would play hockey if she could find some ice and be able to hit someone with a stick, she joked. Amaad Uddin, 8, said his favorite sport is cricket, the native sport of his homeland in Pakistan, but for now is trying to get his body stronger to fight off a muscular disorder. The players, who did this on their own time and not as part of their contractual obligations that they do throughout the season, posed for pictures, signed autographs and tried to sell their sport to children who had never seen a game before. Mekhi Thompson was the spunkiest patient as the five-year-old kidded with the players despite coming off a recent bone marrow transplant.
Sturm said he’ll probably go to Germany to play with former teammate Marcel Goc, but he was hoping the lockout would be over by now and wanted to spend more time with his family. He’s in search of a job. Mueller, the most recent Panther, was great with the kids and quite anxious to begin his Panthers career. Weiss said he wants to play in Europe but because he’s a free agent after this season he doesn’t want to risk incurring an injury so he’s staying put. Several of his teammates, such as Sean Bergenheim (groin) and Tomas Kopecky (shoulder) have already returned from their European clubs because of injury. Kopecky is back skating while Bergenheim is awaiting his doctor’s opinion.
“I’m still optimistic,” Weiss said of the season starting soon. “I think they’d like to have more games than [48 in 1995], at least in the 50s. I’ll take anything right now, 20, 30, whatever we can get.
“I do want to play. I don’t like sitting out. It’s always better to be playing in a competitive environment, but at the same time, not having a contract next year is something telling me to stay here and be a little careful. I don’t want to go over there and get hurt and all of a sudden the season starts up here and I’m not part of it. That wouldn’t be good for myself personally or the team.”
Weiss said the team began negotiations in the summer but they, “didn’t go anywhere.” He’d rather talk contract after the season to avoid any distractions.
“It’s always easier not trying to force anything. For me personally it bothers me during the season. I’ve been through it before, contract years. It’s just a weird feeling and is always easier to play when your mind is clear and you have nothing to worry about.”
Weiss has repeatedly made it clear that he wants to remain with the Panthers, especially after reaching the playoffs for the first time in his career last year.
“It was really a fun year to break through and get a taste of the playoffs and then we’re all hungry to come back and try to reprove ourselves all over again that it wasn’t a fluke and that we can do it again. I’m really looking forward to this season whenever we get back on the ice with the group we have because it was fun.”

As the NHL owners and players association continue to hold the sport for ransom another Panthers player opted to play for his hometown team as veteran defenseman Filip Kuba – who was signed in the offseason to pick up the slack left by Jason Garrison’s exodus – signed with Tipsport Extraliga in the Czech Republic.
By now you know that while the owners gave some ground in the ‘make whole’ contract fight over the weekend they wouldn’t budge on other matters such as giving players free agency right after five years instead of six etc… Talks are expected to continue in Toronto this week as several of the parties are attending tonight’s Hall of Fame induction ceremonies that include former Panthers great Pavel Bure.

I caught up with Panthers coach Kevin Dineen Wednesday evening at Saveology.com Iceplex where he was conducting a hockey clinic (along with former Panther and TV analyst Billy Lindsay) and complimentary meals for children from local youth organizations.
Dineen isn’t allowed to discuss the lockout in any detail. Nor is he allowed to talk about players on his roster, regarding injuries, while they’re being locked out. He was with his wife and two of his four children, Declan, 9, and Williams, 11. All had their skates on for the clinic.

Here’s the q & a.

Dineen on training camp when and if it happens.
It condenses everything. We’ve worked on different scenarios starting as if we’re ready to go as if training camp was going to happen and then obvioulsy we built in a short-term area and I think over the last couple of weeks we started to tweak that, knowing that when things get resolved things are going to happen very quickly. Our testing will certainly change compared to what we usually do at the beginning of the year. It’ll be based on the length of training camp and when we can get start fine-tuning things from there.

Dineen on going through another work stoppage
I’ve been through think this is my fourth collective bargaining negotiation so for me I would echo the comments that I’ve seen from many of the older players, I’m not hanging on every article or every meeting or every press conference. I’ve played that game before where at times you get excited, other times you get down so I basically stepped back and taken control of what we can which is making sure we’re prepared to go. As far as riding the emotional roller coaster I’ve done that before so I’ve stayed away from that.
Dineen’s message to frustrated fans
I would certainly embrace that because I think there’s some emotion there. Nothing worse than ambivalence where somebody’s just, ‘Whatever, hockey’s gone, we don’t care about it anymore.’ That’s your concern and I think when you find that people do care and they’re frustrated, angry that they miss it, we feel that and know that this is an uncomfortable time for everybody involved and we hope that they have long-term memories and remember how the last year went.
Dineen, an avid fisherman, has been fine-tuning his skills by winning two tournaments in the Keys. He’s been hanging out with fellow fisherman, baseball great Wade Boggs.
I think they’re all surprised that I’m there. I spent time with Wade Boggs over the last couple of months and we’ve had conversations about Don Fehr, the things that he’s done for MLB Player’s Association, just that we’ve both been through these things before and I think they’re [other fishermen] are surprised and I hope that they’re happy I’m still around to participate in those events and am very fortunate to get down there.
Dinnen loves working with kids especially on the ice
This is not something I ever get the opportunities to do so to find these little windows to enjoy maybe a passion, you take advantage of it but a night like tonight is more enjoyable for me to get out here and spend time with kids like that, including my family, I think this is a great evening for us.
Is he able to keep up with his locked out players?
Not at all.
How about Kris Versteeg, who is rehabbing his hip and the only player on team allowed to receive payment and medical assistance?
Yeah, I’d refer that to GM Dale [Tallon] as well.
Enjoying the family time?
We’ve had a great Halloween; we had some neighbors over and the kids didn’t cheat themselves by hitting a lot of houses. We’ve enjoyed their athletics and spend some time on the ice with different teams. Soccer practice with my youngest daughter and get a chance to explore South Florida a little bit which we hadn’t really done before and realize we’re very fortunate to be down here.
I asked his lovely wife Annie if she was tired of him being around yet?
I’m happy to have another driver. Taking them every morning down here four days a week they skate before school. I do [want him home for Thanksgiving]. It’s worked out well, he’s keeping busy with his little trips and coming down here to his office.
Has he done any honey-dos around the house?
No.
I asked Dineen about his visit to watch the San Antonino Rampage and some of his future players
Took in a couple of games in Chicago. The team’s well put together, I think it’s got a good mixture of our youth. It’s a really important time because we talk so much about our players and the youth we have high expectations for and here they are now they’re professionals and we’re extremely excited about them. It’s still very early starting their development and maturation into NHL players. It’s not always the easiest, you go down and see a couple of games to get too excited or too frustrated, one way emotion or another. They’re still young guys but it’s a really exciting, important time for that team so it’s good to get involved and watch some hockey.
I asked if he saw Jonathan Huberdeau dominate the All-Star game against the Russians on Wednesday?
No I didn’t [see it]. Shame on me because afterwards I heard it was on NHL Network and what I really need to do is get on the internet and check that. But I’m certainly keeping tabs on him. He understands the spotlight is some times brighter than others, he certainly didn’t shy away from that last night and it certainly bodes bright things for his future.
He’s bumped into some of his players when they were practicing at Saveology (they’re at Glacier Ice Arena in Pompano these days) and at some of their children’s games but other than some hellos he’s not allowed to interact with them.
We’ll see them around the rink and get our hellos in and check to see how they’re doing. Other than that, they found ice over at Glacier and I understand they’re doing a good job getting some skates in.
I asked if he’s itching to get back?
Yeah, it comes in waves, some days you get really excited and other days, no one will be happier than the 800 girls and women who are married, or engaged or girl friends of players and staff to get those guys out of the house and on the ice.

The lockout has taken its toll on the Panthers bank accounts and bodies, as several players have been injured before or during the 54-day work stoppage.
Blossoming defenseman Erik Gudbranson sustained a serious shoulder injury that required surgery in late August.
Apparently, the injury occurred in a non-training incident but no details have been released. The lockout actually was good for Gudbranson as he would’ve missed the first two months while rehabilitating his shoulder.
Forward Sean Bergenheim, who opted to play for his hometown team in Finland, lasted two games before returning to South Florida with what is believed to be a re-aggravation of a groin injury that kept him out of several games last season.
Bergenheim, one of several key free agents signed by General Manager Dale Tallon last summer, had 17 goals and 23 points in 62 games, but excelled in the playoff series with the Devils, notching a team-high six points despite playing with a fractured left foot in Game 7.
Also, forward Tomas Kopecky, a co-captain who had 32 points in his first season with the Panthers, reportedly sustained a shoulder injury after playing just four games for HK Dukla Trencin of the Slovakia hockey league and is back in SoFla.
Center Marcel Goc, a key member of the Panthers penalty kill last season and one of their best faceoff players, has been playing for Adler Mannheim in his native Germany, but he has missed the last three games for undisclosed reasons. He sustained a very serious concussion in his first season with Florida.
The protracted lockout also helped forward Kris Versteeg heal his surgically repaired hip. Versteeg is the only Panther who was permitted to use their training facility and medical staff at Saveology.com Iceplex because he sustained his injury during the season and was placed on the injured list. Versteeg, who notched a career-high 23 goals and 54 points in 71 games, also received his first month’s paycheck.
Unsigned defenseman Dmitry Kulikov, who’s playing for his former team in Russia, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, will probably stay in Moscow until he gets a new deal.
Forward Mike Santorelli, who cleared waivers in July, returned home recently after just two weeks playing for a second division Swedish club reportedly because of differences with management.
Santorelli, who had just nine goals after a 20-goal season the year before, cleared waivers in July and will have to battle to earn a roster spot despite being under contract for $1.6 million this season.
Forward Jack Skille is one of the few Americans playing in Europe, where he has five goals for Rosenberg’s IHK in Norway.

From all accounts today’s afternoon meeting between the owner and players reps could mean either the start or end of the season. I’ll be talking to Panthers coach Kevin Dineen tonight and hopefully we can talk about the end of the lockout. If not, the discussion will be quite limited. I’d like to get an update on injury situations of Erik Gudbranson and Sean Bergenheim, as well as an update on Kris Versteeg’s hip rehab.

Here’s ESPN’s report on this week’s meetings and the issues they’re discussing.

Talks between the NHL and the players’ association have resumed, the third straight day the sides are meeting in an effort to end the lockout.

This is the 54th day of the lockout, and this week is considered critical for the hockey season to be saved.

Owners and players already have bargained for about 13 hours over two days this week at an undisclosed site in New York.

Wednesday’s bargaining session, which lasted almost six hours, included discussions on two key issues that have separated the two sides: revenue sharing and the league’s “Make Whole” provision to honor players’ existing contracts, a source told ESPNNewYork.com.

The two sides, which have met three times in the past five days, first tackled revenue sharing. Although the NHL repeatedly has downplayed the significance of the practice, the league spent more than three hours discussing the matter Wednesday.

The union wants to see an enhanced revenue-sharing system — one that would require lucrative clubs to help out struggling teams — as a fundamental part of the new collective bargaining agreement. In the league’s last offer, submitted last month, it offered $200 million, up from $150 million in its previous offer.

The more compelling issue facing the two sides, however, is the “Make Whole” provision.

Before last weekend’s clandestine session between NHLPA special counsel Steve Fehr and NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly, the two sides were divided on how the provision would work. The league originally proposed deferred payments that ultimately would reduce the players’ future share, whereas the union wanted the owners to bear the responsibility.

It is believed that the league has shown a willingness to bend on the “Make Whole” mechanism and absorb some of the financial commitment. It remains unclear, however, how much the league would be willing to shoulder with respect to the damage incurred because of the lockout.

Daly said that $720 million in revenue had been lost when the league was forced to cancel all regular-season games through Nov. 30, although he has not offered any new estimates since the NHL canceled the annual Winter Classic last week.

Time is becoming a bigger factor every day a deal isn’t reached. The lockout, which went into effect Sept. 16 after the previous CBA expired, already has forced the cancellation of 327 regular-season games — including the New Year’s Day outdoor Winter Classic in Michigan.

Whether any of the games that have been called off through Nov. 30 can be rescheduled if an agreement is made soon hasn’t been determined. But the NHL already has said that a full 82-game season won’t be played.

Panthers GM Dale Tallon did an interview recently with Hockeywriters.com. Not much news but he gave an update on Jonathan Huberdeau and Keaton Ellerby as well as Tallon’s to-do list for improvement if and when the season begins. By the way, I’m sure you all know the two sides are talking again, so that’s a step in the right direction.

Fresh off a knee replacement 9 weeks ago, Tallon unleashed his laundry list of tasks on the hosts as he works through the lockout. “… We’re going to go see San Antonio play some games, and then get some junior games in. It’s a really good draft year, I love to do that- it’s my favourite thing to do.”
When asked about Jonathan Huberdeau, the Panthers’ 2011 first round draft pick currently playing with the Saint John Sea Dogs, Tallon commented on his conditioning. “I just want to see him getting stronger physically… so he can withstand playing against men. This kid’s the real deal. He’s not only a great kid on the ice, but off the ice too.”

Tallon’s stress over the prospects Florida has compiled as quality was mentioned many times; “We’ve got a lot of great, young prospects we’re excited about, He’s [Huberdeau] one of the cornerstones.”

Jonathan Huberdeau hasn’t been struggling. In 17 games this season with the Sea Dogs, he has recorded 10 G and 12 A for 22 points. He’s doing just fine where he is.

What about Keaton Ellerby? The Panthers’ first pick in the 2007 draft hasn’t fully reached his potential. Tallon agreed. “Now it’s time for him to grab the bull by the horns. He has the ability, he’s a great skater, he’s got a good shot. I challenged him at the exit meeting that he needs to get prepared this off-season and get stronger mentally and physically.” He added; “I’m counting on him.”
So what do the Panther’s need? It’s no secret they need more than one line to get hot and get them over the hump. “One thing we did lack last year was offense. If we get a healthy Upshall, we added Peter Mueller, and Huberdeau in our line-up that’s a little more skill for us.” Until this comes to fruition, Tallon is looking around the league for other position players; “I like big centreman, I like skill down the middle. That’s what we’re looking to add. We have that in our system, it’s just a matter of them getting mature and experience.”

Tallon’s message to the players last year was simple; come back stronger so we can continue building what we started last year. What exactly did he say to his players? This: “… they have to make the sacrifices and believe in themselves, I think we have a really strong core now. We need to come back and finish the job instead of just getting to the playoffs.”
It is evident Tallon trusts his own instincts and believes his philosophy will bring the Panthers ultimate success. “I know what we’ve got coming; I know where we’re going. When it’s going to happen I’m not sure, but I’m confident it’s going to happen.”

By now you know the NHL has blown off the Winter Classic at the University of Michigan between the Maple Leafs and Red Wings because of the ongoing lockout andCBA impasse. They claimed the event takes too much planning. Here’s the players union rep Donald Fehr’s response.

“The NHL’s decision to cancel the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic is unnecessary and unfortunate, as was the owners’ implementation of the lockout itself. The fact that the season has not started is a result of a unilateral decision by the owners; the players have always been ready to play while continuing to negotiate in good faith. We look forward to the league’s return to the bargaining table, so that the parties can find a way to end the lockout at the earliest possible date, and get the game back on the ice for the fans.”

The Florida Panthers announced today that FloridaPanthers.com will be heading to their American Hockey League affiliate the San Antonio Rampage to cover the weekend’s home games against Grand Rapids (Friday, Nov. 2) and Oklahoma City (Sunday, Nov. 4).

The Rampage (2-4-1) open up a four-game home stand against Grand Rapids Friday night.

Upon logging onto FloridaPanthers.com fans will get to see game recaps, features and interviews with San Antonio coaches and players including G Jacob Markstrom, D Alex Petrovic, F Drew Shore and F Quinton Howden over the weekend and in the coming weeks. Behind the scenes images and videos will be posted on the website and through social media, giving fans a better look at the Panthers future.

The Panthers currently have the No. 1 rated group of prospects in the NHL according to ESPN and Hockey’s Future.

Fans interested in listening to Rampage games can log onto FloridaPanthers.com and click on the listen now link to be connected to the Rampage’s radio broadcast.

HARVEY FIALKOV, a tennis-playing sportswriter who grew up in Long Island following the dynastic Islanders, is the new Panthers beat writer for the Sun Sentinel and looking forward to writing about the best professional sports team in Broward County.